The Nation Newspaper

Category: Northern Report

  • CSOs to track six states’ projects

    CSOs to track six states’ projects

    The Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in Kwara, Anambra, Bayelsa, Jigawa, Yobe, and Osun States have been urged to track government projects in their states.

    This is being done by Connected Development (CODE) who is galvanising CSOs and Community-Based Organizations to form a Community of Practice (CoP) in elevating social accountability processes and advocating for transparency and accountability.

    Chief Executive CODE, Hamzat Lawal, said his organisation built an impactful system of leveraging on Follow The Money Model to deepen Citizens Interest in Government Spending and Addressing Accompanying Corrupt Practices.

    He said this yesterday in Abuja at the Project Trust Retreat for CSOs and Community-Based Organizations from the six states.

    He said the model was used in 2021 in Kaduna State and was called the Deepening Citizens Interest in Government Spending and Addressing Accompanying Corrupt Practices in Kaduna State (DeSPAAC) project, tracking an impressive N9.3 billion across 47 projects, directly reaching 30 communities in the three senatorial zones in Kaduna State.

    Lawal said: “These numbers are more than just statistics; they represent lives touched, needs met, and a shared commitment to a better future.

    “Now, we find ourselves at the inception of a new and transformative project – ProjectTrust, an upscaling of DeSPAAC Project. This Project aims to galvanize Civil Society Organizations and Community-Based Organizations like you all to form a Community of Practice (CoP) in elevating social accountability processes and advocating for transparency and accountability in six strategically selected states across the six Geopolitical zones in Nigeria: Kwara from the Northcentral, Anambra in the Southeast, Bayelsa in the Southsouth, Jigawa in the Northwest, Yobe in the Northeast, and Osun from the Southwest.

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    “ProjectTrust’s core strategy is centered around leveraging these CoPs to champion social accountability by promoting the institutionalization, adaptation, adoption, and utilization of proven systems developed by CODE in Kaduna since 2017. The carefully selected members of the CoPs across the country will play a pivotal role in spearheading the expansion and implementation of our accountability systems to all zones within their respective states.

    “Therefore, it is with great enthusiasm that we have organized this Retreat/Capacity Building event for CoPs from Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones. This event is designed to equip you with the knowledge and tools necessary to navigate this significant undertaking. Our comprehensive capacity-building sessions and project onboarding will ensure that each participant understands the project’s objectives, deliverables, anticipated outcomes, and outputs.

    “In addition, we are honored to have esteemed representatives from the MacArthur ON Joinbodi program with us. Their invaluable mentorship will play a crucial role in guiding and supporting the CoPs on this transformative journey. We trust that the Joinbodi cohort members will adopt CoPs as mentees, fostering a collaborative environment that will contribute to the success of ProjectTrust.”

  • Govt urged to prioritise citizens’ rights

    Govt urged to prioritise citizens’ rights

    A non-profit organisation, Accountability Lab Nigeria, has urged the Federal Government to prioritise citizens’ rights and privacy while pursuing national security.

    The organisation said democratic principles such as freedom of expression must be upheld in the digital area.

    It said this during the unveiling of four policy briefs developed in collaboration with Data and Digital Rights Coalition to mark the 2024 data privacy week.

    The briefs provided insights into protecting access to information in Nigeria, enhancing accountability in surveillance practices, implementing Data Protection Measures to Safeguard Against Surveillance Abuse in Nigeria, and strengthening data protection.

    The four policy briefs were unveiled at a briefing by the Country Director, Accountability Lab Nigeria, Friday Odeh, Programs and Learning Manager of the organisation, Ehi Idakwo, and Communications Officer Accountability Lab, Nigeria, Blessing Anolaba in Abuja on Monday.

    The country director of the organisation said the policy briefs sheds light on the growing adoption of unregulated digital technologies and policies in Nigeria.

    He said: “This brief underscores the urgent need to combat online censorship and protect access to information in Nigeria. It emphasizes the importance of upholding democratic principles, human rights, and free expression in the digital age. We urge Nigeria to take proactive steps to preserve these fundamental values.

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    “Also, we must enhance accountability in surveillance practices. It is important to prioritise citizens’ privacy and rights while pursuing national security objectives through surveillance practices. This calls for robust judicial and public oversight mechanisms to ensure transparency and accountability in using surveillance technologies.”

    He said the gap in citizens’ awareness regarding digital rights, online harm prevention and content moderation created an environment prone to misuse and abuse by government security agencies, particularly in counterterrorism efforts, leading to severe consequences such as human rights violations and harassment.

    Odeh added: “The overall argument of this briefs calls for balanced co-existence of privacy protection and national security approaches within the evolving digital landscape. It reiterates the importance of government accountability frameworks, responsible leadership from businesses (banks and telecommunications), and the active participation of citizens in the Nigerian digital landscape.”

    Idakwo said: “Combating Online Censorship: The brief underscores the urgent need to combat online censorship and protect access to information in Nigeria. It emphasizes the importance of upholding democratic principles, human rights, and free expression in the digital age, urging Nigeria to take proactive steps to preserve these fundamental values; Enhancing Accountability in Surveillance Practices: highlights the importance of prioritising citizens’ privacy and rights while pursuing national security objectives through surveillance practices. It calls for robust judicial and public oversight mechanisms to ensure transparency and accountability in using surveillance technologies, Strengthening Data Protection, and Towards the Implementation of Data Protection Measures to Safeguard Against Surveillance Abuse in Nigeria.”

  • Group faults call to scrap NYSC

    Group faults call to scrap NYSC

    Acivil society organisation, Save Nigeria Movement has chided those calling for the scrapping of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme because of insecurity, noting that doing so would amount to cowardice.

    The CSO said the security challenges in the country couldn’t be used as yardstick to call for the scrapping of the scheme.

    The organisation argued that scrapping the NYSC on the ground of insecurity would amount to “emboldening the criminals and making a caricature of the nation and undermining the gallantry of security personnel who are working day and night to ensure the total defeat and elimination of all forms of insecurity in the country.”

    Convener of the group, Solomon Semaka, at a news conference argued that such an idea was “retrogressive and highly detrimental to the interest of the nation.”

    The organisation wondered why a group – Human Rights and Justice Group International chose to hide under the banner of CSOs to attack the NYSC and by extension the unity of the country without any justification.

    Semaka said: “This is not the first time a self-styled group will call for the scrapping or suspension of the Scheme and we, like many Nigerians, must rise up in defense of the mandate of the scheme as given to us by our founding fathers.

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    “Military barracks and Police Stations have also been attacked in most parts of the country but nobody has asked for the disbandment of the military or police, why is the case of NYSC different?

    “For the unpatriotic groups and individuals calling for the disbandment of the Scheme as a solution to insecurity in the country, it is important to remind them that the NYSC is not a security agency. The reported incidents of kidnapping or death of Corps members and indeed that of any Nigerian is a painful and emotionally traumatizing experience that is highly regrettable but it is not the NYSC that should be held responsible.

    “It is equally unpatriotic to blame security personnel directly because they are doing their best, even though there’s room for much improvement. Asking for the suspension of the Scheme is therefore, totally out of context as one cannot ask that a hospital be shut down because a few patients have died of a particular disease.

    “What all Nigerians, including those calling for the suspension of the NYSC should do is to assist security personnel with the right intelligence to safeguard their communities from criminals. One thing is clear, suspending the scheme won’t end insecurity in the country.

    “We must remember the objectives of the NYSC scheme, especially that of fostering unity and social interactions amongst the diverse ethnic nationalities in the country. As a post-civil war initiative, the founding fathers of the Scheme were deliberate in ensuring that educated young Nigerians be given the opportunity to interact across cultural divides and foster unity and oneness.”

  • Police arrest council chairman for plot to assassinate Speaker

    Police arrest council chairman for plot to assassinate Speaker

    The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has apprehended a suspect and chairman of one of the Local Government Areas of Benue State involved in an alleged assassination plot of the Speaker of the Benue State House of Assembly, Aondona Hycenth Dajoh.

    A statement issued in Abuja by the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi: said: “The Nigeria Police Force, through the diligent efforts of its operatives, has successfully apprehended two suspects involved in an alleged assassination plot. The arrested suspects include a chairman of one of the Local Government Areas of Benue State.

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    “Preliminary investigations revealed that the Local Government Chairman allegedly contracted a militia with the sinister intention of eliminating the Speaker of the Benue State House of Assembly, Aondona Hycenth Dajoh. The operatives of the Force Intelligence Department – Intelligence Response Team (FID-IRT) swiftly swung into action upon receiving credible intelligence regarding the planned assassination”.

    Both suspects, Adejobi said, are currently in police custody and are actively cooperating with investigators in the ongoing inquiry.

    He said: “The Nigeria Police Force remains resolute in its commitment to upholding the safety and security of citizens and public officials”.

    The Force spokesman said the arrested suspects will face the full weight of the law: “and the Nigeria Police Force reassures the public of its unwavering commitment to maintaining law and order, and prevention of crimes at all level.

  • We are behind Sule to develop Nasarawa, says Speaker

    We are behind Sule to develop Nasarawa, says Speaker

    The Speaker of Nasarawa State House of Assembly, Danladi Jatau has said that the 7th Nasarawa Assembly will partner with Governor Abdullahi Sule-led administration to build “a new Nasarawa of our dreams.”

    The Speaker, who preaches against ethnic and religious politics, said that it will not take the state anywhere.

    He explained that the assembly under his leadership would rally round and support the programmes of the Sule administration by eliminating all inhibiting policies affecting the process and development of the state, adding that the lawmakers would be partners in progress for the sole benefits of the entire people of the state.

    Jatau said the governor is the right leader the state need at this crucial time, adding that his policies and programs will lead to economic growth and prosperity of the state.

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    He added that, the 7th assembly under his watch will enhance effective synergize with the executive arm of government and enact laws that would  promote good governance in the state, that he would not relent in enacting laws that would promote peace, unity, progress and development of the State.

    The Speaker appreciated God for given Governor Sule victory at the Supreme Court.

    “Election has come and gone, legal battle has come and gone, now it is time for governance. I want to appreciate God for where we are today and the victory He gave us. I want to thank the people of the State for their support and understanding throughout the period, the victory of Governor Sule at the Supreme Court is a victory for Nasarawa State

    “The Supreme Court judgment, was an affirmation of the mandate the people of the State freely gave Governor Sule on March 18th Governorship election

    “I want to call on all citizens of the state to accept the victory in good faith, as leadership comes from God,” he said

  • Kano sponsors 105 teachers for training

    Kano sponsors 105 teachers for training

    Kano State Government, in collaboration with National Project Coordinating Unit of the IDEAS, has sponsored 105 Technical Teachers for three-week training at Access International Hotel, Kaduna.

    Addressing the participants on Monday at Rumfa College shortly before they left for Kaduna, Commissioner of Education Alhaji Umar Haruna Doguwa said the workshop is aimed at increasing the number of competent and motivated technical teachers across the state.

    Doguwa explained that the training programme was divided into two cohorts with first cohort commencing with 105 technical teachers comprising male and female from the state technical schools.

    “The training is in line with the present administration’s policies of reviving the education sector, through intensive workshop to improve teaching profession.

    “Areas to be covered during the three week training workshop include Pedagogy, Digital Skills and Trade Specific Areas among others.

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    “Under this training programme, our technical teachers are going to receive intensive training on three major areas that involved pedagogy, digital skills  and trade acquisition skills to widen their knowledge and talents on technical education,” Doguwa said.

    Balarabe Abdullahi Kiru, a Director of Public Enlightenment in the Ministry of Education, Kano State, added that in an effort to boost technical education in the state, Kano State Governor Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf had directed for the immediate completion of all technical colleges being initiated by the former Governor Engineer Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso.

    The statement added that plans were also underway to establish technical college of education in the state so as to provide advanced technical education across the state.

    The education commissioner commended all NGOs working with ministry for their commitment towards ensuring that education and other development activities in the state are giving all the necessary attention.

  • Qatar Foundation plans 500,000 houses for indigent in Kaduna

    Qatar Foundation plans 500,000 houses for indigent in Kaduna

    Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani said the Qatar Charity Foundation plans to build 500,000 houses for some indigent persons in Chikun Local Government Area of the state.

    Sani stated this on Sunday when he inspected the progress of work at the Sanabil Mass Housing Project in the local government where already 100 houses were being built under the initiative.

    Sani said that 100 houses were being built under the initial phase of the project while additional houses would be constructed in the subsequent phases.

    The governor said that a farmland and a poultry farm would be established to provide sustainable livelihoods for the less-privileged beneficiaries of the houses.

    Sani expressed satisfaction with the progress of work at the site, stating, “a few months ago, we were here for the groundbreaking ceremony.

    ”Today, I am pleased to see tangible outcomes – houses, clinics, diaries, shops and a poultry farm.

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    ”All these developments are courtesy of the Qatar Charity Foundation, marking their significant contribution to Nigeria’s largest project, and I express gratitude for this generous grant.”

    Sani highlighted the diverse collaborations with the foundation, extolling its support in healthcare, assistance to orphans and the provision of grants to small business holders.

    He said: “The Qatari Foundation is granting support to approximately 5,000 orphan-owned businesses, a commendable effort in our joint mission to alleviate poverty in the state.

    “The Qatar Charity Foundation’s interventions extend beyond the mass housing project, with initiatives such as constructing boreholes in various local governments across the state to enhance water supply and sanitation in rural areas.”

    Sani said that these substantial contributions, amounting to millions of dollars, came as part of the government’s commitment to engage non-partners and foster friendships.

    He said: ”The Qatar Sanabil Mass Housing Project stands as a testament to the collaborative efforts between the government and international partners, paving the way for transformative changes and improvements in the lives of the less-privileged in Kaduna State.

    ”Kaduna State will be the first in Nigeria to also benefit from Kuwait funds, addressing the issue of out-of-school children.

    “Similar projects supported by Kuwait funds are underway to significantly reduce the number of out-of-school children, marking another milestone in the state’s commitment to education.”

  • Zulum inaugurates 500 houses for IDPs

    Zulum inaugurates 500 houses for IDPs

    Borno State Governor, Prof Babagana Umara Zulum, on Sunday, commissioned the 500 resettlement houses for internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Logumani community, Ngala local government area located in the central part of the State.

    The newly constructed Logumani community is made up of units of two-bedroom semi-detached low-cost houses, with basic amenities such as a primary school, health centre, police station, and borehole for water provision.

    The houses were distributed to over 500 families which the governor said was part of Borno State Government’s efforts to provide shelter for people displaced by the Boko Haram conflict.

    Logumani residents were displaced as a result of the activities of Boko Haram insurgents, they were previously taking refuge in Dikwa, Ngala, and other communities.

    The governor in his address, gave assurance that his administration would not relent in providing basic services to the people of the state.

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    According to him, “I want to commend our partners, Germany, the United Kingdom, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and others for donating to the stabilization facility that makes this possible. I want to assure you that the government of Borno State will not relent in providing necessities to its people.”

    Shehu of Dikwa, Ibrahim Ibn Umar El-kanemi, the Senator for Borno Central, Kaka Shehu Lawan, member House of Representatives for Bama, Ngala, and Kala-Balge constituency, Dr Zainab Gimba commended Governor Zulum for the leadership he has been providing.

    Others who commended the governor included the member, State House of Assembly representing Ngala Local Government, Bukar Abatcha, and the Caretaker Chairman of Ngala, Abdurrahman Abdulkarim.

    Meanwhile, Babagana Umara Zulum distributed livelihood support packages to returnees that were displaced for nearly a decade by Boko Haram insurgency.

    The governor presented allocation letters of houses to some of the beneficiaries with each up of male and female heads of households receiving N50,000 in cash.

    Other items they received were one bull and one cow, a bag of rice and maize grain, a water pump, clothing materials, seedlings, and insecticide to boost irrigation farming. Meanwhile, female beneficiaries that are housewives each received N20,000 in cash and a wrapper.

    Babagana Zulum expressed gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his commitment to addressing the security challenges faced in Borno State. He also commended the Nigerian military for their sacrifices in combating criminal activities.

    The governor’s entourage to Logumani had the member House of Representatives for Marte, Monguno, and Nganzai constituency, Bukar Talba, members of Borno State House of Assembly, commissioners, and other senior government officials.

  • Plateau: Herders decry continuous killings of kinsmen

    Plateau: Herders decry continuous killings of kinsmen

    The Coalition of Herders in Plateau State, has decried the recent continues massive and isolated killings of their members in some parts of Bokkos and Mangu Local Government Areas, of the State.

    At a briefing yesterday in Jos, the group led by Muhammad Nuru Abdullahi, said so far six of their members were killed, separately.

    “Fulanis are worse hit, at all times and therefore have recorded the highest number of casualties and destruction of properties in the crises going by its trajectory,” they said.

    The herders frowned at media reports, shifting blame of killings in the state on their members, adding that false information, baseless analysis, unconfirmed accusations, hate speeches, intimidation, harassment, oppression, discrimination and stereotypes against them by their neighbours, security personnel and government at all levels are the order of the day.

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    They said “from January 1, till date, six herders were killed. We condemn in totality in recent massive, but isolated and continued destruction of properties of the Fulani community members.”

    The herders said, they found the statements of Governor Caleb Mutfwang, telling them to, ‘defend yourself’ as, “alarming.”

    “We also believe that they are (defend yourself), a massive mobilization and preparedness to yet a heavy and nonstop of the bloodbath in the state,” they allay fears.

    The herders said they, “lost hope in the State Government,” while urging the federal government to organised high powered dialogue committee to look into the immediate and remote causes of the long standing conflict.

    “We at this point made distress call to both federal and state governments to as matter of urgency take an immediate step to halt further killing and destructions,” they said.

    The herders expressed appreciation to the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), for releasing some relief materials to their Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), within Bokkos and some states.

  • NDLEA intercepts arms, ammunition,1,274 cocaine parcels, 5.6m opioid

    NDLEA intercepts arms, ammunition,1,274 cocaine parcels, 5.6m opioid

    • NAFDAC begins tracking of Tramadol, Codeine

    The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) said it has intercepted arms, ammunition, large consignments of cocaine and colorado, a strong strain of cannabis, concealed in containerized household items and vehicles.

    It said the consignments were imported from Durban, South Africa and Canada and were intercepted at the Tincan Seaport in Lagos.

    NDLEA’s Director, Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, revealed this in a statement yesterday.

    He said the seizures followed coordinated intelligence and months of tracking of the containers by three special units of the NDLEA, adding that the illicit drugs along with arms, ammunition and sundry military effects were impounded during joint examination of the three containers between January 18 and 19.

    Babafemi said some of the agency’s sniffer dogs were also deployed to help identify locations and bags used in concealing the illicit items.

    Read Also: NDLEA intercepts ammunition, 1,274 parcels of Cocaine, Colorado in Lagos, 5.6m opioid pills in Kano

    “Some of the items recovered from the containers include: 1, 274 parcels of Cocaine and Colorado with a total weight of 884.09 kilograms; four pistols; 197 rounds of 9mm ammunition, 49 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, 275 rounds of 5.56mm ammunition, 14 rounds of 9mm ammunition and sundry military personnel effects as well as some chemicals in kegs.

    “With the exception of 32.5kg shipment of Colorado that came in used vehicles from Canada, the rest of the items were found in two of three containers that arrived the Tincan Port from Durban, South Africa onboard a vessel marked MSC RESILIENT III and discharged on 31st December 2023. 

    “A suspect linked to one of the containers, UACU 5348336, bearing the 32.5kg Colorado, 41-year-old Akara Chibugo has already been tracked and arrested by NDLEA operatives.

    “Two vigilant freight agents and a traveler escaped being roped into two drug trafficking operations by desperate traffickers at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, MMIA Ikeja Lagos.

    “The two agents were contacted to send a consignment of 1kg cannabis concealed in tins of Milo beverage to Turkey but chose to submit the shipment to NDLEA checks before processing the cargo. The psychoactive substance was later discovered to be hidden inside the shipment,” he said.